Man United in transfer scramble to equip next manager with ‘amazing’ striker

Juventus have reportedly lodged a bid to sign Crystal Palace forward Jean-Phillipe Mateta on loan with an obligation to buy in the summer.

Palace are already considering replacements for Mateta, as they brace for an exodus at Selhurst Park over the coming months.

The striker could be among several players to leave, in what appears to be an era rapidly coming to an end for the Eagles.

Oliver Glasner plunged his immediate Palace future into doubt with an explosive press conference on Saturday, in which he said he felt abandoned.

Man United are considering the appointment of Glasner in the summer when his contract expires, but the Austrian could become available even before then.

Crystal Palace respond to Jean-Phillipe Mateta bid

Football Insider revealed last month that Man United have set their sights on Mateta, as they look to bolster their front line.

Benjamin Sesko has only recently found some form for the Red Devils after his summer move from RB Leipzig, and Joshua Zirkzee has been linked with a move away.

Whether the departure of Ruben Amorim will affect Man United‘s interest is unclear, but, should decision-makers hope to appoint Glasner, they will have to act quickly to give the Austrian his striker.

According to Sky Sports in Italy, Juventus are willing to pay a £1.7million loan fee plus a £24.3m obligation to buy, which would be triggered under certain circumstances in the summer.

Palace have rejected an initial offer from Juventus, who are willing to offer Mateta a four-year deal with a significant pay rise.

The striker’s attitude towards such a move is not yet clear, but his representatives have not told the Eagles that he wants to move to Juventus.

What Oliver Glasner said about Mateta

Mateta has been one of Glasner’s main men at Palace. The striker was having a poor season when the Austrian arrived in February 2024, having scored just three Premier League goals across 22 games.

Incredibly, the Frenchman would net 13 goals in the few months after Glasner arrived, and he has not slowed down since.

Last season saw him net 17 across all competitions, proving key as the Eagles won a historic FA Cup.

Speaking about Mateta in February 2025, Glasner said: “We don’t always talk because he knows what we demand of him. With his two goals today, he is amazing in the box.

“He has the feeling that a number nine must have in the box. He makes so many runs where he doesn’t get the ball. You need to suffer as a striker because you make so many runs where you don’t get the ball. He gets the reward and it decides the game for us.”

With a Man United move looking more and more on the cards, the Red Devils must act quickly if the are to reunite the pair at Old Trafford.

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